MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2003 Owners Manual
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•If the cassette tape is loose, it may 
produce poor sound or performance 
during playback. Use a pencil or 
something similar to remove any slack.
• Only cassette tapes that play no longer 
than 90 minutes should be used. 
Cassette tape exceeding 90 minutes are 
thin and may easily break.
• Do not leave a cassette tape in the tape 
player slot when not in use. Remove it 
completely to permit the slot door to 
close and to protect the mechanism 
from dust.
• Store cassette tapes away from extreme 
heat, magnetic fields, and direct 
sunlight. Protect the exposed cassette 
tape from dirt and damage. Store 
cassette tapes in their original cases or 
other protective cases.
• Insert only cassette tapes into the slot. 
If objects other than cassette tapes are 
inserted, they may damage the player.
Operating Tips for Mini Disc 
(MD) Player
The following precautions should be 
observed.
• Do not spill any liquid on the audio 
system.
• Do not insert any objects, other than 
MDs, into the slot.
• The MD player has been designed to 
play MDs bearing the identification 
logo as shown. No other MDs can be 
played.
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•When inserting the MD, make sure the 
MD label is facing up, and the MD is 
oriented to the insertion slot in the 
direction of the arrow. If not inserted 
correctly, the MD will be ejected, or 
may remain stuck in the MD deck.
• Do not touch the internal part of the 
MD. If the MD shutter is slid open for 
no reason, it may be broken.
• Store MDs in their cases and away 
from direct sunlight.
• Do not insert fingers or foreign objects 
in the MD insertion slot as it could 
damage the MD deck.
Operating Tips for CD Player/In-
Dash CD Changer
Condensation phenomenon
Immediately after turning on the heater 
when the vehicle is cold, the CD or optical 
components (prism and lens) in the CD 
player/changer may become clouded with 
condensation. At this time, the CD will 
eject immediately when placed in the unit. 
A clouded CD can be corrected simply by 
wiping it with a soft cloth. Clouded 
optical components will clear naturally in 
about an hour. Wait for normal operation 
to return before attempting to use the unit.
Handling the CD player/In-dash CD 
changer
The following precautions should be 
observed.
• Do not spill any liquid on the audio 
system.
• Do not insert any objects, other than 
CDs, into the slot.
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•The CD revolves at high speed within 
the unit. Defective (cracked or badly 
bent) CDs should never be used.
• Do not use non-conventional discs such 
as heart-shaped, octagonal discs, etc. 
The CD player/changer could be 
damaged.
• A new CD may have rough edges on its 
inner and outer perimeters. If a disc 
with rough edges is used, proper 
setting will not be possible and the CD 
player/changer will not play the CD. 
Remove the rough edges in advance by 
using a ball-point pen or pencil as 
shown below. To remove the rough 
edges, rub the side of the pen or pencil 
against the inner and outer perimeter of 
the CD. •
When driving over uneven surfaces, the 
sound may jump.
• The CD player/changer has been 
designed to play CDs bearing the 
identification logo as shown. No other 
discs can be played.
• Be sure never to touch the signal 
surface when handling the CDs. Pick 
up a CD by grasping the outer edge or 
the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
• Do not stick paper or tape on the CD. 
Avoid scratching the reverse side (the 
side without a label).
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•Dust, finger smudges, and dirt can 
decrease the amount of light reflected 
from the signal surface, thus affecting 
sound quality. If the CD should 
become soiled, gently wipe it with a 
soft cloth from the center of the CD to 
the edge.
• Do not use record sprays, antistatic 
agents, or household spray cleaners. 
Volatile chemicals such as benzine and 
thinner can also damage the surface of 
the CD and must not be used. Anything 
that can damage, warp, or fog plastic 
should never be used to clean CDs.
• CDs, like traditional audio records, are 
made of plastic. To avoid warping, 
keep the CDs in their cases and do not 
store them where they will be exposed 
to direct sunlight.
• The CD player/changer ejects the CD if 
the CD is inserted upside down. Also 
dirty and/or defective CDs may be 
ejected.
• 8 cm (3 in) CDs and CD accessories 
(e.g. 8 cm disc adapter) cannot be used 
in the CD player/changer.
• Do not insert cleaning discs in the CD 
player/changer.
• Do not insert any disc with a peel-off 
or seal on it.
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Power/Volume/Sound Controls  ............................................................................................. 6-18
Clock ..................................................................................................................................... 6-22
Operating the Radio ........................................................................................................... .... 6-24
Operating the Cassette Tape Player  ....................................................................................... 6-26
Operating the Mini Disc (MD) Player ................................................................................... 6-28
Operating the Compact Disc (CD) Player  ............................................................................. 6-30
Operating the In-Dash CD Changer  ...................................................................................... 6-32
Error Indications  ............................................................................................................. ....... 6-35
Audio Set
CD PlayerIn-dash CD Changer
Cassette Tape Player Mini Disc (MD) Player Illustration is of a representative audio unit.
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Power/Volume/Sound Controls
Power ON/OFF
Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or 
ON position.
Press the power/volume knob to turn the 
audio system on.
Press the power/volume knob again to 
turn the audio system off. Volume adjustmentTo adjust the volume, turn the power/
volume knob.
Turn the power/volume knob to the right 
to increase volume, to the left to decrease 
it.
Audio sound adjustment
1. Press the audio control knob to select 
automatic level control, bass, mid-
range, treble or balance control. The 
selected function will be indicated.
2. Turn the audio control knob to adjust  the selected functions as follows:
Display
Audio control knob
Power/Volume knob
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being 
discharged, do not leave the audio 
system on for a long period when the 
engine is not running.
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With automatic level control
*Depending on the mode selected, the 
indication changes.Without automatic level control
*This vehicle is not equipped with rear 
speakers. Adjust the audio control knob, 
so the level is even.
Indication Turn Left Turn Right
Select mode Select mode
Decrease bass Increase bass
Decrease
treble Increase
treble
Shift the sound
to the left Shift the sound
to the rightIndication Turn Left Turn Right
Decrease bass Increase bass
Decrease
mid-range Increase
mid-range
Decrease
treble Increase
treble
Shift the 
sound
to the left Shift the 
sound
to the right
NOTE
About 5 seconds after selecting any 
mode, the volume function will be 
automatically selected. To reset 
automatic level control, bass, mid-
range, treble and balance, press the 
audio control knob for 2 seconds. The 
unit will beep and "CL" will be 
displayed.
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Automatic Level Control (ALC) 
The automatic level control is a feature 
that automatically adjusts audio volume 
and sound quality according to the vehicle 
speed.
The volume increases in accordance with 
the increase in vehicle speed, and 
decreases as vehicle speed decreases.
The following seven modes are available. 
Select the desired mode according to use.Turn the audio control knob to select the 
desired mode. The selected mode will be 
indicated.
Mode
UseVo l u m e  
change
ALC does not 
operate. No change
Use when the 
convertible 
top is closed. 
Three levels 
are available. Minimum
Medium
Maximum
Use when the 
convertible 
top is open. 
Three levels 
are available. Minimum
Medium
Maximum
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Clock
Setting the time
The clock can be set at any time when the 
ignition switch is in the ACC or ON 
position.
1. To adjust the time, press the clock 
button ( ) for about 2 seconds 
until a beep is heard.
The clock ’s current time will flash.
2. To advance the hours, press the hour  set button ( ). To advance the 
minutes, press the minute set button 
( ) while the time is flashing.
3. Press the clock button ( ) again  to start the clock. Exact hour adjustment 1. To set the exact hour, press the clock 
button ( ) for about 2 seconds 
until a beep is heard.
The clock ’s current time will flash.
2. Press the clock button ( ) again  and the time will be adjusted as 
follows:
(Example) 
12:01 —12:29
→12:00
12:30 —12:59
→1:00
Display Clock button
Hour set
button
Minute set
button
NOTE
If the power supply to the unit is 
interrupted (if the fuse blows or the 
vehicle ’s battery is disconnected), the 
clock will need to be reset.
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